Odds and ends

• The Los Angeles Times on the worries of Cuba and others in the region as they contemplate the possible loss of Venezuelan assistance.  Yesterday, Venezuelan officials said Chavez’ medical state has worsened (Reuters).

• Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart tweets his outrage over an IRS television studio that costs $4 million per year.  Congressman, while you’re at it, how about a government studio in Miami that produces broadcasts that don’t reach their audience?

• A Cuban government statement in Granma complains about lack of consular access to one of the Cuban Five prisoners, Rene Gonzalez.  The State Department says that Gonzalez, serving the final part of his sentence on parole, has been able to visit Cuban diplomats in Washington (AFP).  AP story here.

• A new study on gender equality in Cuba by the Center for Democracy in the Americas; New York Times review here.

• The New York Times on a “challenging moment for Cuban baseball.”

• Herald columnist Fred Grimm on Operation Spring Break, or the complete end to U.S. travel restrictions.  He points out that the Cuban government has benefited over the years from emigration, in which “those most likely to challenge the regime left. The counter-revolution emigrated to Miami instead.”